Living Free, by beth moore

We read this statement together before every group discussion. It helps transition the group to discussion time, it reaffirms our highest values, and sets a tone of trust, consistency, and safety for everyone in the group.

We are a group of imperfect people pursuing a perfect God. We exist to help each other find and follow Christ. These are some things we want to be true of our group:

We create a safe and honest environment, staying transparent and authentic.

We keep it inside the circle. Confidentiality is necessary for a healthy group.

We look together to the Bible for help and guidance, and keep out our own politics, sales, or agendas.

We do not try to fix each other, preach sermons, or give unsolicited advice. We instead encourage, listen to, and celebrate each other.

We handle conflict between us quickly and honestly by going to the person, owning our part, and practicing forgiveness.

We respect each others’ time by starting and ending when we say we will.

We trust that it is God’s role to change people, not ours.

We believe that in Jesus Christ, there is hope for everyone.

Describe your week using only one word; why did you choose that word?

Questions

Please note, groups do not have to answer all of the questions. This is a guide to help your group go at its own pace.

Can someone please recap Part 2, “Tunnels” for us? Does anyone have anything else to add to that summary?

Which chapter in Part 2, “Tunnels,” stuck out to you the most? Why?

On page 69, Chapter “Tunnels,” Shauna writes about a time she was on a family vacation in Hawaii when “something unlocked.” She notes, “When Henry and I got back to the shore, over the kids’ heads, I said softly to Aaron, ‘Something needs to change. I can’t live like this anymore. We can’t. They can’t.” Have you ever come to a time in your life when you knew major changes needed to be made? Were you able to make them? What was the outcome?

In the chapter “Vinegar and Oil” Shauna has us imagine prayer like a bottle of oil-and-vinegar salad dressing, and says sometimes you have to pour out the vinegar first (the hard stuff), before getting to the oil (hope and healing)). Have you ever prayed like this? Did you experience the "oil" after pouring out the "vinegar?"

On page 85 in the Chapter “Daughter”, Shauna notes, “Many of us who have found ourselves to be useful in Christian service have found ourselves unable, if we’re honest, to connect with God any other way. We do for him, instead of being with him. We become soldiers, instead of brothers and sisters and daughters and sons. This is dangerous, damaging territory, and I’ve spent too much time there.” Have you ever found yourself in that space, unable to connect with God in any other way than in Christian service? Doing for him instead of being with him?

Scripture for reflection: Psalm 8, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Take in your “daughter-ness,” your given place in the family of God!

On page 90, chapter “Yellow Sky,” Shauna notes, “I was a good soldier, a responsible daughter, a trustworthy servant… but I was not a deeply loved friend or trusting and fragile daughter. In the same way that I didn't allow myself to be taken care of by people, I didn’t know how to let myself be taken care of by God. Honestly, even that phrase makes me uncomfortable.” How comfortable are you with the idea of being taken of by God? What might it look like to let God take care of you in your life right now?

Scripture for Reflection: Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God.”“Be still and know. Be still. Be. It starts with ‘be.’ Just be, dear one.” (page 91).

On page 97, chapter “Stars,” Shauna notes, “laying down all the things that keep me full and frantic and distracted and exhausted.” What are some of the things that keep you full, frantic, distracted and exhausted?

Pair up and share one thing you could commit to laying down from your list of things that keep you full, frantic, distracted and exhausted. Spend a few minutes praying for each other to be able to do that. Follow up with your partner once this week via text, phone call or e-mail asking her how the "laying it down" it going.